Key Takeaways
- USA Volleyball has announced the 2026 Women’s National Team roster for the upcoming Red‑Blue scrimmage on May 20, 2026, at Mira Costa High School.
- All 30 athletes from the VNL preliminary roster are listed, plus five additional specialists who will join the match. – The scrimmage features a mix of seasoned veterans, Olympic medalists, and emerging talents from a variety of colleges and regions. – Head Coach Erik Sullivan leads a deep coaching staff that includes assistants, a statistician, physiotherapists, trainers, mental‑performance and medical personnel.
- Tickets are available for fans who want to watch the Red‑Blue contest live.
- The roster includes players from every major collegiate conference and reflects a balance of positions—setters, opposites, middle blockers, outside hitters, and liberos. —
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Announcement of the Red‑Blue Scrimmage
USA Volleyball made the official announcement on May 18, 2026, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, confirming that the 2026 Women’s National Team will face a Red‑Blue intra‑squad match on Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. The event will be held at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California. This exhibition serves as a showcase for the depth of talent on the national team and a final opportunity for coaches to evaluate players before the upcoming international season.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Roster Overview and Additional Participants
All thirty athletes who comprised the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) preliminary roster have been included on the Red‑Blue list, but only a select few will actually see action during the scrimmage. To augment the competitive environment, five standout athletes have been added specifically for the match. These guests are Haleigh Washington (Penn State, two‑time Olympic medalist), Lauren Briseño (Baylor, 2025 Women’s National Team member), Charlie Fuerbringer (University of Wisconsin, 2025 U21 National Team), Andi Jackson (University of Nebraska, 2024 U21 National Team), Bergen Reilly (University of Nebraska, 2024 U21 National Team), and Kari Knotts (The Lovett School, 2025 U19 National Team). Their participation highlights the pipeline of talent moving from college to the national program.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Ticket Availability for Fans
Fans interested in witnessing the Red‑Blue clash in person are encouraged to purchase tickets through official channels. The event promises high‑energy volleyball, featuring future Olympians and collegiate standouts performing in a controlled yet competitive setting. Early ticket sales have already taken hold, indicating strong community interest in supporting the national team’s preparation for international competition.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Complete Red‑Blue Roster Details
The comprehensive roster lists thirty athletes, each identified by position, height, hometown, college affiliation, and USAV region. Highlights include veteran setters such as Micha Hancock (Penn State) and Saige Ka’aha’aina‑Torres (University of Texas), powerful opposites like Jordan Thompson (University of Cincinnati) and Hart Lea (University of Texas), dominant middle blockers including Elena Oglivie (Stanford) and Chiaka Ogbogu (University of Texas), and defensive specialists such as Alexia Smith (Loyola Marymount) and Samantha Briceno Sanchez (University of Nevada). The list reflects a geographical diversity spanning the East Coast, Midwest, West Coast, and Southern regions of the United States.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Coaching and Support Staff
Head Coach Erik Sullivan will oversee the Red‑Blue match, supported by an experienced staff: assistants Tayyiba Haneef‑Park, Brandon Taliaferro, and Rob Browning. The support crew also encompasses statistician Virginia Pham, physiotherapist Kara Kessans, physical trainers Shannon Boone and Shawn Hueglin, mental‑performance coach Nicole Davis, and team doctors Lori Boyajian‑O’Neill, James Suchy, Chris Koutures, and Mark Hutchinson. Team manager Shannon Slatter handles logistical coordination, ensuring the match runs smoothly for players and spectators alike.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Positional Breakdown and Player Profiles
The roster is organized by position, allowing coaches to assess each athlete’s role within the team’s system. Setters like Avery Skinner (University of Kentucky) and Saige Ka’aha’aina‑Torres (University of Texas) will distribute the ball, while opposites such as Jordan Thompson and Lorenza Gomez‑Cruz (University of Washington) will provide offensive firepower from the front row. Outside hitters include Logan Eggleston (University of Texas) and Madi Kubik‑Banks (University of Nebraska), while middle blockers like Dana Rettke (University of Wisconsin) and Haleigh Washington (Penn State) anchor both defense and quick attacks. Liberos such as Alexia Smith (Penn State) and Asjia O’Neal (University of Texas) will anchor the back‑row defense.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Geographic and Collegiate Distribution
The players hail from twelve different USAV regions, underscoring the national reach of the talent pool. Colleges represented range from traditional powerhouses—Penn State, Stanford, and UCLA—to mid‑major programs like Baylor, University of Louisville, and University of Washington. This geographic and academic dispersion enriches the roster’s depth, offering the coaching staff varied perspectives and playing styles that can be replicated against international opponents.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Veteran Presence and Olympic Experience
Among the listed athletes, Haleigh Washington stands out as a two‑time Olympic medalist, bringing invaluable experience and leadership to the squad. Several other participants have competed at the highest collegiate levels and have earned national recognition, creating a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Their previous international exposure—including participation in Nations League, World Championship qualifiers, and U21 competitions—will be instrumental as they adapt to the fast‑paced Red‑Blue environment.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Role of the Scrimmage in Player Development
The Red‑Blue match functions as a controlled laboratory where coaches can evaluate tactical execution, chemistry, and player stamina under competitive pressure. By pitting the Red team against the Blue team, staff can observe how individual strengths mesh within a team framework, identify positional rotations that maximize efficiency, and fine‑tune strategies for upcoming international fixtures. This evaluative process is essential for finalizing the lineup that will represent the United States in forthcoming global events.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Implications for Upcoming International Competition
The final selections made for the Red‑Blue scrimmage are expected to heavily influence the official roster for the 2026 World Championship and other international tournaments. Strong performances in the exhibition may secure starting positions, while under‑performance could result in roster adjustments. Consequently, the scrimmage is not merely a practice session but a decisive moment that can shape the trajectory of the national team’s season.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Community Engagement and Fan Interaction
Beyond its athletic relevance, the event aims to foster community engagement by inviting local fans, collegiate supporters, and volleyball enthusiasts to attend in person. Through interactive promotions, meet‑and‑greet opportunities, and educational clinics, USA Volleyball seeks to inspire the next generation of players while showcasing the sport’s growing popularity across the United States. Ticket sales contribute to funding developmental programs and grassroots initiatives nationwide.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Comparative Analysis of the Two Teams
The Red team and Blue team are comprised of equally talented athletes, each group featuring a balanced mix of positions and playing styles. While the Red squad may emphasize aggressive offensive schemes, the Blue side might prioritize defensive solidity and disciplined serving. Analysts anticipate a tightly contested match, where subtle differences in execution and situational awareness will ultimately determine the victor. This contrast offers fans a preview of the strategic depth that will characterize the national team’s future competitions.
Bolded Sub‑Heading: Final Thoughts on the 2026 Red‑Blue Scrimmage
The upcoming Red‑Blue scrimmage represents a pivotal milestone for USA Volleyball’s women’s program. By assembling a deep pool of talent, integrating experienced coaches, and providing an arena for competitive evaluation, the organization is positioning itself for success on the international stage. The event’s outcome will resonate throughout the season, influencing roster decisions, strategic planning, and fan enthusiasm as the national team prepares to contend for global honors.